Iran Skips US Talks as Trump Orders Military Action and Tightens Blockade Pressure

Iran has signalled it will not attend scheduled negotiations with the United States on Monday, as tensions escalate over sanctions, naval confrontations, and a nearing ceasefire deadline in the Middle East.

State media reported the decision following increased pressure from Washington, including President Donald Trump’s directive sending US negotiators to Pakistan ahead of the talks.

IRIB quoted Iranian sources saying: “there are currently no plans to participate in the next round of Iran-US talks”.

Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported that “the overall atmosphere cannot be assessed as very positive”, adding that the lifting of the US blockade remains essential for dialogue.

State media outlet IRNA also cited Washington’s “unreasonable and unrealistic demands”, warning that “in these circumstances, there is no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations”.

The standoff comes as Iran, the US, and Israel approach the end of a two-week ceasefire that followed surprise strikes on Iran on February 28.

So far, only one round of talks has taken place, held on April 11 in Islamabad, which ended without agreement.

“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it,” Trump said Sunday, reiterating warnings of further action if no agreement is reached.

Naval Clash and Strait of Hormuz Tensions

The situation escalated further after Trump said a US warship engaged an Iranian vessel attempting to evade a blockade.

He said the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska was intercepted after ignoring warnings.

“It did not go well for them,” Trump said, adding the ship was struck and “right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel.”

He claimed the vessel was already under US sanctions due to “prior history of illegal activity.”

Iran briefly reopened the Strait of Hormuz after a ceasefire in Lebanon but closed it again following continued US blockade measures.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that unauthorized passage through the strait would be treated as hostile activity, stating such vessels “will be targeted”.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called the blockade “a violation” and “illegal collective punishment”.

Shipping activity in the strategic waterway briefly resumed but quickly stopped amid renewed tensions.

Diplomacy and Nuclear Dispute

Security was tightened in Islamabad ahead of expected talks, with authorities imposing road closures and restrictions.

A White House official confirmed Vice President JD Vance would lead the US delegation, alongside Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

A major sticking point remains Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.

Trump said Iran had agreed to surrender around 440 kilogrammes, stating: “We’re going to get it by going in with Iran, with lots of excavators.”

Iran rejected this, insisting the stockpile “is not going to be transferred anywhere” and that handing it over “to the US has never been raised in negotiations”.

President Masoud Pezeshkian also questioned why Iran should relinquish its “legal right” to a nuclear programme.

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